They're from different walks of life, with at least one commonality: hunger.

When Tuskawilla United Methodist Church in Casselberry opened its food pantry, it fed about 50 families a week. Now, 21/2 years later, on average, 260 families come to the weekly food distributions. The number keeps climbing; a few lucky ones find jobs, but about 45 new people show up every week.

They are people such as David Rugg, whose hands still show the calluses of a lifetime spent on construction sites, even though it has been a year since he was laid off.

"If it weren't for the food bank, we'd really be hurting," he said.

The food on the Ruggs' table comes from Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. Tuskawilla's pantry is one of more than 500 nonprofit agencies that feed the hungry at least in part with food from Second Harvest.

Second Harvest, one of several nonprofit organizations supported by the Orlando Sentinel Family Fund Holiday Campaign, distributes millions of meals to hungry families in six counties.

Rugg, 57, began coming to the Tuskawilla food pantry with his wife, Alda, about a year ago, shortly after he lost his job as a heavy-equipment operator for a major construction company after 18 years.

The Ruggs' three adult children live with them in Oviedo, forced together by necessity. Only their daughter has found regular work, and that's part-time.

Alda must stay home to care for son Donny, 26, who is wheelchair-bound with cerebral palsy. Donny is quick with a smile and a laugh. He helps as best he can, gathering aluminum cans for Christmas money.

David and Alda volunteer at the food pantry. Alda helps others navigate the system and loads groceries in their cars. David directs parking-lot traffic during the rush on days food is distributed. Even Donny puts cardboard boxes together for those in need.

At the pantry, they're given enough food to last through the week, if they're careful.

"We don't eat steaks, but at least we eat," said Alda, 53. "You just have to make it stretch."

Second Harvest's main warehouse in west Orlando is a cavernous space filled with about a million pounds of canned goods, fresh vegetables, jars of pasta sauce, meat, poultry, baked goods and whatever else people give.

But with the country's economy in a shambles, it's not enough.

"People just can't find jobs. We are seeing people come in with college educations, good track records, great résumés, but they can't find work anywhere," said Dave Krepcho, Second Harvest CEO and president. "They don't know where the next meal is coming from. Many are skipping meals."

In 2006, Second Harvest provided food to 298,000 people. In 2010, that number climbed to 732,000. Last year saw an inauspicious record: Second Harvest distributed 21 million meals.

"And there is a huge gap that still exists," Krepcho said.

The meals go out so quickly that Second Harvest's warehouse, even with its million pounds of food, would be empty in about 20 days if not constantly replenished by donations.

These days, when Second Harvest sends out fundraising letters, it's not unusual to receive replies from past donors who now need help themselves.

David Rugg's family understands that need.

"You never think about it until it's knocking on your door," he said.

It would be easy to get discouraged, but Second Harvest and its army of distribution agencies and volunteers know the importance of a single bag of food to a hungry child.

"The thing we focus on is: There is hope for a better future," Krepcho said. "Every can of soup and jar of jelly makes a difference.